[Andrew]

I haven't been behind the wheel of a 348 but would like to know if someone has driven both a Lotus Esprite S4 (1994) and a 1994 348. How do the two compare? I love the Lotus and when the turbo kicks in the car takes off. All around fun car to drive. I need to find a 348 to compare it to.

Bazil have you been behind the wheel of the Lotus?

 

[Bazil]

I'm afraid not - I've driven a few Lotus Elise and a very old Lotus Europa, but I don't recall ever having even sat in an Esprit. Nice car to look at though.

 

[Dj Dirk]

i've driven a 348, but not a Lotus
altough a few months ago i really drooled over one, but that was an S2
and i must say, man, it's REALLY hard to get in there, a lot more difficult then in a 348
but once you sit, you sit good

 

[4kids3fish]

Andrew, check this out (S4 vs 348 - plus other reviews at this most excellent Lotus site)...
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/CAR_Apr93.html

The 348 gets the nod. There's nothing that can match the Lotus' chassis & steering though - to drive one is to be spoiled for life. 8)

 

[senna21]

Andrew, what we need to do is get you behind the wheel of my MR2 Turbo!

That said, I've driven the very first gen Lotus Esprit Turbo and I still can remember how much fun it was. I can also remember the owner how many problems he'd had with it. I alway's loved the Lotus interior though. I don't think any other car has that much leather in it. You really feel like you're in a race car.

 

[Andrew]

Great article. I like this for the ending:

It [Lotus] looks like a supercar, it goes like a supercar and it handles like on. It is a supercar. But a Ferrari, even a flawed Ferrari is just too bewitching. It is the supercar.

I will have to drive a 348 then write my own comparison. The Lotus is very quick and the car I was driving had an aftermarket exhaust, which improved the sound immensely.

Charles,

Yes I'd love to get behind the wheel of the MR-2 Turbo. I'm sure that car flies too.

 

[Boxer]

I am afraid the only Lotus I have driven is the Elise. Great car on the backroads. Handles amazingly, nice peppy engine. Terrifying on the highway. I felt like a bug about to be squashed everytime a truck or SUV went flying by. Almost test drove an Esprit once. Found it very uncomfortable to get into and the visibilty to the side and rear very poor. I cancelled the test drive based on the above and got them to let me take a 328 out instead.

 

[Rev-happy]

I am afraid the only Lotus I have driven is the Elise. Great car on the backroads. Handles amazingly, nice peppy engine. Terrifying on the highway. I felt like a bug about to be squashed everytime a truck or SUV went flying by. Almost test drove an Esprit once. Found it very uncomfortable to get into and the visibilty to the side and rear very poor. I cancelled the test drive based on the above and got them to let me take a 328 out instead.

Good decision!

 

[senna21]

Boxer what year Esprit was it? I've always loved the Esprit Turbo (81-85).

 

[Rev-happy]

Yes, a great Lotus model, senna21.

 

[Boxer]

Boxer what year Esprit was it? I've always loved the Esprit Turbo (81-85).

senna21, It was either a 97 or 98 Esprit V8.

 

[Bob348]

the lotus is maybe good, but still a four banger...so if you want a four banger rear engined car, buy a mr2

 

[Andrew]

the lotus is maybe good, but still a four banger...so if you want a four banger rear engined car, buy a mr2

True, but the MR-2 just doesn't have the exotic look the Lotus has.